Aug1Written by:dan
01/08/2009 20:59 
The day started with wet and windy conditions, and despite this locals still arrived to catch the action that ZapCat Racing had brought to Barry Island.
Because of the ever changing weather and tide conditions we found ourselves contending with plenty of chop that came and went. This caused alot of boats to have difficulties and even created a great show for spectators as there were many boats flipping and team mates thrown out!
It just happens that we were one of them!
It was our first heat of the day, we set off and were in the middle of the pack. We headed out and passed the first mark and broke into the back straight, there were 3 boats ahead of us and the Dangerous Brothers (Ben and Pat - Pat was filling in for Andy as pilot) were alongside us.
Dan and I had taken the inside line to ensure that we were out of the dirty water and into the clean. We were heading straight for the buoy. I looked up at Team Relentless (Dangerous Brothers - Boat 74) to see that they were holding us in line for the buoy. Dan started to power off to try and fall in behind them when we ran straight into the buoy, hitting it and taking off like we had used it as a ramp. The boat tilted sideways and Dan jumped out. I thought for a second that if i could just hold my position it may be enough to stop the boat flipping.
I was wrong! The boat had so much momentum that it continued to flip trapping me underneath it. I panicked at first. I was under the boat, my helmet was filled with water and I thought that was it. I tried to pull myself under the tube but found myself caught up it the co-pilots rope. This rope is there for a co-pilot to hold onto to keep you in the boat, well, at least i know there isn't a problem with the rope as it was surely keeping me in the boat but when i wanted to get out!
It felt like I was under the boat for days, I remember what had been said before every race by the safety team, They are always saying that if you get trapped under the boat, try and remain calm and as one of them will be already trying to get to me.
Sure enough, as I felt like the panic was setting in again I saw a a yellow figure. It was the sleeve of Glynn, a member of the safety team. I was short of breath and they did an absolutely fantastic job. This is the main reason i can really enjoy myself in this sport! Having the reassurance that the safety team are as good as they are minimising any accidents and quickly responding to emergencies.
We had been DQ'd on our first heat, things were looking pretty dull. Throughout the rest of the day we finished constantly but didn't make the Div 1 final.
We are looking forward to another days racing tomorrow and hopefully it will be just as eventful but hopefully more successful and a little less dangerous as today.
Please remember if you want to watch the racing live tomorrow. Login to www.zapcat-racing.co.uk or go www.tiger24.com.